1. Prepares You for College
Often in life, we’re too afraid to challenge ourselves into the unknown and prefer to stay in our comfort zone, where we are most familiar with the things around us. However, as a world-famous American actor, Morgan Freeman once said, “Challenge yourself; it’s the only path which leads to growth.” While I was initially hesitant to apply, after doing some self-research on the program, I soon fell in love with its ideas of being “highly collaborative [and] exposing participants to innovative topics while facilitating student discussions shaped by international perspectives.” I was drawn to YYGS’s globally welcoming and diverse community, with students from all over the world with unimaginable experiences interacting and sharing their thoughts and ideas. YYGS has a holistic online application process similar to the American college application. From writing supplement essays to listing out extracurricular activities, applying for YYGS helps prepare students for their future college applications and provides an unforgettable experience.
2. Lectures & Seminars
Each morning participants wake up, read the pre-reading materials, and get ready to attend college-level lectures taught by Yale professors in their respective professions. There is no shortage of subjects available, with intriguing topics ranging from analyzing Russian hackers to developing robots that teach. These 90-minute lectures are followed by breakout sessions where students from all over the world come and give their perspectives on the topics discussed. My favorite lecture was Professor Kagan’s lecture and his analysis of the famous trolley problem, which made me a better decision-maker by considering all aspects of the issue at hand before making a final decision. While the lectures are the same for all students in their respective tracks, seminars taught by current Yale students cover various topics for students to choose from. In seminars, students can engage with their instructors on new concepts that aren’t provided in the standard school curriculum; such topics include transhumanism and the psychopolitics of the immigrant dream.
3. People & Environment
YYGS welcomes over 2,000 high school students yearly from 150 countries and 50 U.S States. While it may be daunting at first, you will soon realize that the people you meet here are some of the most talented, educated, and fun people you will ever meet. First, each day starts with my personal favorite – family time, which means you are grouped with about ten other students with a seminar instructor who acts as your group leader. This group of people would soon become your best friends throughout this program, in breakout discussions, family time interactions, and much more. Next up are the capstone project simulations. Each summer, the simulation project allows students to work in groups of four to come together and create a project to help society through a specific theme. In 2022, the theme was the Post-Pandemic World, and our goal was to create a project that helps society cope with the transition back into everyday lives after the pandemic. This year’s projects include websites and podcasts aiming to improve teens’ mental health issues post-pandemic, organizations helping small businesses gain recognition, and programs re-engaging students and providing educational resources to fill the gaps from the months of online learning.
Author Details:
Zack Chen
Literature, Philsophy & Culture
China